Actor Liam Neeson has come under intense heat for his recent statements about once having the urge to kill a black man at one point in his life.

Neeson has however given an explanation as to why he had these thoughts, and why he has now chosen to come forward with them. He explained that he had these violent thoughts about killing a black person 40 years ago after learning a close friend had been raped.

Liam who is 66-years-old appeared Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” one day after he told an interviewer that he had these violent thoughts.

He stated that he had asked about the race of the attacker, along with other descriptive characteristics.

He says he had a “primal urge to lash out” before he was shocked by his reaction and sought help from a priest and friends.

The famed actor has since given assurances that he is not racist. He has also advocated that society needs to have these conversations because bigotry and racism exist.